ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, September 13, 1996 TAG: 9609130114
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN THESE times of harsh words and opinions on political stance, would it be possible for Americans to take a good look at themselves and apply reason, not emotion, to their decisions?
When buying a car, one looks at the past record of the car and its company. When choosing a doctor, one speaks to intelligent patients of several doctors and selects one who, at least, has destroyed a minimum of patients and at best, knows his business. One doesn't use innuendo, gossip or the opinions of competitors in making choices.
Can one choose a party that had a president who resigned in disgrace or elected a second-rate actor who accepted money from our enemies and used it in a nonauthorized war? Can one accept as president an affable, but aging and somewhat dense, choice, appearing in default of other acceptable candidates?
To this 12th generation Virginian, the answer is simple - reason prevails. As a non-party-affiliated American and Virginian, exercising reason and my own research and insight, unsullied by others' opinions, I choose the Clinton ticket and Democratic changes in Congress as a bright entry into a young and youthful future for our nation.
I reject the black, lugubrious war-torn philosophies of the dark halls of Republicanism. The world and our country has changed for the better in nearly all fashions offered by Clinton, except those where the worshippers of the past, the Republican Congress, opposed them. I am an old, old man, and I hope other old men will join me in supporting the party of youth, accomplishment, modernity and decency, to take our country into a glorious new century of care and progress.
I shall make one exception by voting for incumbent Republican Sen. John Warner for his notable show of reason in opposing the dim and pettifogging entries of the unthinking and untutored into our decision-making.
Let's all go forward in peace, harmony and reason.
WILLIAM WALTON COBBS II
RURAL RETREAT
New uses for old buildings
I ENJOYED reading Dan Frei's Sept. 8 commentary (``Downtown North needs coordinated plan''). His proposals sound like an excellent way to convert existing downtown properties into public-use facilities that would benefit many in the Roanoke Valley.
Particularly, the possibility of converting the two vacant Norfolk & Western office buildings into a larger downtown library and a higher-education center merits serious consideration.
I would hope that the project he suggests is, to use his word, ``doable,'' and the city will work to make it a reality.
M. ANTHONY SEEL JR.
ROANOKE
Political lessons are remembered
THE 20th century was just three years and six months old when I was born on July 4, 1903. My first contact with politics was a painful one at age 5.
My father, an ardent Republican, had placed an overblown, colorful picture of Theodore Roosevelt in a heavy wooden frame hanging above the bowl and pitcher on the washstand. (Old-timers will understand.) I awoke one morning disliking the picture. Standing on the bed, I hurled a pillow saying, ``I don't like you, old ugly man.'' The pillow dislodged the frame. It fell, breaking the pitcher and spilling water everywhere.
My mother, who saw her lovely pitcher broken, set my backside on fire. Hearing all the commotion, my father came in and told me that I was a very bad girl to have attacked Roosevelt, and that I deserved a good spanking. I remember much of the discussions about politics after that.
I remember well all the arguments on the school ground among the bigger boys about the Woodrow Wilson election. I've never lost my interest in politics. So, at age 93, I want to remind everyone not yet registered to vote that you must be registered by Oct. 7. If you're not, then you won't be able to vote in November.
I tell no one how to vote, but I beg you to study the issues and vote your own mind, not what some politician tells you.
MARY K. GREER
SALEM
Dole doesn't dwell on his injury
NORMALLY, I scan the letters page, consider the source and move on. But GI Joe Lockhart's letter to the editor (Sept. 5, ``Many GIs suffered more than Dole'') got my attention. I challenge him or any whiner out there to produce proof of Bob Dole - in any fashion, anywhere, with anyone - voluntarily bringing up any mention of his war injury.
Yes, he answers when some reporter tries to ask tricky questions. Real heroes seldom talk about their experiences. At least, he has had honorable experiences and fought his way to success.
I would rather see a sincere, honest snarl than a sickening phoney smile. I wonder which would bother Saddam Hussein, Gadhafi or the Ayatollah Khomeini the most - a sweet smile from a turncoat or a stern snarl from a true war veteran.
By the way, GI Joe, we were in the same war. Most honorably discharged veterans took advantage of the ``GI Bill of Rights'' - for continued education, job training, guaranteed low-interest business and home loans and more. That's called compensation.
Lockhart needs to loosen up. He's been bitter for 50-plus years. All veterans can again start enjoying the freedoms we fought for just as soon as we get rid of the Clinton gang.
WALLY M. HILLMAN
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 102 linesby CNB